Sanga puts SL in control

Galle: Kumar Sangakkara struck a sparkling 221 to move to the second spot in the all-time list of Test double centurions, as Sri Lanka grabbed the lead before declaring their first innings on Day 4 of the first Test against Pakistan, here on Saturday.

Sangakkara’s 10th double century put him just two behind Sir Don Bradman’s 12, as Sri Lanka declared at 533/9, taking a first-innings lead of 82 runs.

Pakistan were four for one wicket in their second innings at stumps, having lost opener Khurram Manzoor for three to Rangana Herath.

Ahmed Shehzad (batting on 1) and Saeed Ajmal were at the crease, with Pakistan still trailing by 78 runs with nine wickets in hand.

The day, however, belonged to Sangakkara who brought up his double century with a single off Ajmal, sparking off celebrations at the ground.

He batted for 11 hours and 38 minutes, hitting 24 fours in his marathon 425-ball knock. Sangakkara endured some torrid moments, however, before reaching the double century when Ajmal followed up the dismissal of Angelo Mathews (91) before the tea break with a further three cheap wickets, as Sri Lanka slumped to 475/7.

Ajmal, without a wicket in the previous 47 overs, picked up four for 13 in 6.3 overs, also dismissing Kithuruwan Vithanage, Niroshan Dickwella and Dilruwan Perera.

Sangakkara’s marathon knock came to an end when he stepped out to Abdur Rehman and was stumped by wicket-keeper Sarfraz Ahmed.

Sri Lanka appeared set to bat through the afternoon session unscathed, until Pakistan picked up the wicket of Mathews when the batsman pushed forward at an Ajmal delivery and was caught at slip.

The dismissal ended his 181-run stand with Sangakkara.

Earlier Sangakkara, still on his overnight score of 102, cut the first ball he received from Junaid Khan, straight to point where Abdur Rehman spilled an easy catch.

At the other end, Mahela Jayawardene, making his penultimate Test appearance, got off the mark for the day with a streaky four off Junaid but was out the next ball when he was trapped lbw on 59.

Jayawardene’s dismissal ended a 113-run partnership with Sangakkara for the third wicket, but was the only success for the visitors in a morning session that was extended to make up for lost time due to rain on Friday.

Dhammika Prasad got a caught behind decision successfully overturned off the first ball he faced, and went on to score a useful 31 off 35 balls, taking Sri Lanka past the 500-run mark, before providing Ajmal with his fifth wicket of the innings. (Reuters)